The operation is part of an international relief effort for the neighboring country following the tremors of June 24. Photo: Secom/PR

Brazil is providing humanitarian support to Venezuela in the wake of the severe earthquakes that hit the country, deploying 71 firefighters — 36 already on the ground and 35 departing this Sunday, June 28 —, four Civil Defense specialists, four technicians from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), six search dogs, a field hospital staffed by 48 Navy personnel, 100 water purifiers, and more than 111,800 medicines and medical supplies.

The operation, authorized by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE), is part of an international relief effort for the neighboring country following the tremors of June 24.

SHIPMENTS —To support the mission, the Brazilian Government deployed a fleet of Air Force aircraft. The first flight departed Friday, June 26, carrying the initial search-and-rescue team of 44 professionals, including firefighters and specialists. On Saturday, June 27, two more flights took off with the Navy's field hospital, its medical team, medicine kits, and water purifiers. A fourth flight is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, June 28, expected to carry a reinforcement team of 35 additional firefighters.

RESCUES —On Saturday, June 27, shortly after arriving in Venezuela, Brazilian teams set up camp and began operations. Under the coordination of Armin Braun, Director of Preparedness and Relief at Brazil's National Civil Defense, work is concentrated mainly in the municipality of Vargas, in the state of La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas.

In the search for survivors, firefighters are supported by search dogs and Anatel technicians operating spectrum analyzers and directional antennas to detect cellphone signals beneath collapsed buildings.